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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th November 2014
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Bird flu outbreak on Yorkshire duck farm
ducks
Investigations are underway to see if the outbreak is linked with recent cases in Germany and the Netherlands.

First UK case of the H5 strain confirmed since 2008

Defra has confirmed a bird flu outbreak on a duck breeding farm in Yorkshire. Initial testing has confirmed the H5 strain of bird flu which has not been reported in the UK since 2008.

Health officials have ruled out the possibility of the H5N1 strain that is infectious for humans. The outbreak was confirmed on Sunday afternoon and is said to present a very low risk to human health.

All 6,000 birds on the farm are being culled and a 10km restriction zone has been imposed to prevent further spread of the infection.

Restriction zones ban the movement of poultry, products and waste from the affected area. Poultry must be isolated within the zone, fairs, shows and exhibitions are prohibited and game birds must not be released.

Investigations are underway to see if the outbreak is linked with recent cases in Germany and the Netherlands. Further test results are expected this week.

Certain strains of bird flu can pass to humans, though cases are rare and infection usually requires close contact with infected birds.

As new strains of the avian influenza virus emerge frequently, there is a risk one of these strains may be able to spread from human to human. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest a recent strain of bird flu can transmit between people.

According to advice from the Food Standards Agency, it is safe to eat poultry and poultry products such as eggs, assuming they are properly cooked.

Image ©Katie Chodil/Wikipedia CC-BY-2.0

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.